“We’ve historically lost at least 50% of seagrasses in the British Isles, losing more should not be an option”
“We conducted the most extensive assessment to date of the environmental conditions of seagrasses in the British Isles, using techniques widely used to assess these important habitats in places such as the Great Barrier Reef”, told Dr Richard Unsworth of Swansea University.
“All the sites in our study were found to be at risk from either pollution, boating, or both, even those in relatively remote locations.”
Action is needed to protect seagrasses in the British Isles
“We’ve historically lost at least 50% of these habitats in the British Isles, losing more should not be an option”, Dr Unsworth added.
The underwater plants face threats from human activities, including nutrient pollution, where nitrogen from agriculture and industry runs off land and enters the water.
Dr Richard Unsworth of Swansea University said seagrasses were like the “canaries of the sea” in that their condition can be used as an indicator of the health of coastal waters.
